Your voice transmits not only information but emotion. So as well as using a good range of notes to provide interest, you will want to be able to vary the tone of your voice according to the demands of the situation.
We will be looking at creating different voice tones in Unit 5, but first an important warning about emotions:
Any emotion you feel produces physical effects in your body. If the emotion is negative, it will promote the release of stress hormones and have a tightening effect, right down to the cellular level.
If this is a regular occurrence it can be very damaging to your health, as well as raising the emotional temperature in class at times when it needs to be calmed down. Instead you need to be like an actor who can convey a repertoire of emotional tones without having to feel them.
If you find yourself easily getting swept up in emotions, keeping some of your attention in your body – or at least periodically bringing some attention into your body – will help you stay calmer. This can be through both slow diaphragmatic breaths (as described in Part One of the course) and simple body awareness.
If you are unsure what body awareness feels like. Try this:
Like many things in life, that feeling will grow if you give it positive attention. With practice you will probably be able to sense it also in your feet, legs, arms and possibly torso. The more you stay aware of it, the calmer and more ‘grounded’ you will feel.
Q: Have you previously considered body awareness as a way of staying calm? Do you think you will find it a helpful technique?
Your voice transmits not only information but emotion. So as well as using a good range of notes to provide interest, you will want to be able to vary the tone of your voice according to the demands of the situation.
We will be looking at creating different voice tones in Unit 5, but first an important warning about emotions:
Any emotion you feel produces physical effects in your body. If the emotion is negative, it will promote the release of stress hormones and have a tightening effect, right down to the cellular level.
If this is a regular occurrence it can be very damaging to your health, as well as raising the emotional temperature in class at times when it needs to be calmed down. Instead you need to be like an actor who can convey a repertoire of emotional tones without having to feel them.
If you find yourself easily getting swept up in emotions, keeping some of your attention in your body – or at least periodically bringing some attention into your body – will help you stay calmer. This can be through both slow diaphragmatic breaths (as described in Part One of the course) and simple body awareness.
If you are unsure what body awareness feels like. Try this:
Like many things in life, that feeling will grow if you give it positive attention. With practice you will probably be able to sense it also in your feet, legs, arms and possibly torso. The more you stay aware of it, the calmer and more ‘grounded’ you will feel.
Q: Have you previously considered body awareness as a way of staying calm? Do you think you will find it a helpful technique?
